The Securities and Exchange Commission, Nigeria is a Federal Government Statutory Agency and the apex regulatory body charged with the responsibility of regulating and developing the Nigerian capital market. The Commission carries out its functions as provided in the Investments & Securities CAP i24 LFN 2004

Our Mission:

"To develop and regulate a capital market that is dynamic, fair transparent and efficient, to contribute to the nation's economic development"

Our Vision:

“To Be Africa’s Leading Capital Market Regulator”.

Our FUNCTIONS

a) Regulate investments and securities business in Nigeria as defined in the Investment and Securities Act;

b) Register and Regulate Securities Exchanges, Capital Trade Points, Futures, Options and Derivative Exchanges, Commodity Exchanges and any other Recognised Investment Exchange;

c) Register Securities to be offered for subscription or sale to the public;

d) Render assistance in all aspects including funding as may be deemed necessary to promoters and investors wishing to establish Securities Exchanges and Capital Trade Points;

e) Prepare adequate guidelines and organize training programmes and disseminate information necessary for the establishment of Securities, Exchanges and Capital Trade Points;

f) Register and regulate corporate and individual capital market operators as defined in section 30 of the ISA;

g) Register and regulate the workings of venture capital funds and collective investments schemes including mutual funds;

h) Facilitate the establishment of a nationwide system for securities trading in the Nigerian capital market in order to protect investors and maintain fair and orderly markets;

i) Facilitate the linking of all markets in securities through modern communication and data processing facilities in order to foster efficiency, enhance competition, and increase the information available to brokers, dealers and investors;

j) Act in the public interest having regard to the protection of investors and the maintenance of fair and orderly markets and to this end to establish a nationwide trust scheme to compensate investors whose losses are not covered under the investors protection funds administered by Securities, Exchanges and Capital Trade Points;

k) Keep and maintain separate registers of foreign direct investments and foreign portfolio investments;

l) Register and regulate central depository companies and clearing and settlement companies, custodians of securities, credit rating agencies and such other agencies and intermediaries;

m) Protect the integrity of the securities market against abuses arising from the practice of insider trading;

n) Act as a regulatory apex organization for the Nigerian capital market including the promotion and registration of self-regulatory organization and capital market trade associations to which it may delegate its powers;

o) Review, approve and regulate mergers, acquisitions and all forms of business combinations;

p) Promote investor’ education and the training of all categories of intermediaries in the securities industry;

q) Call for information from and undertake, inspect, conduct inquiries and audits of the Securities Exchanges, Unit Trusts, Mutual Funds, Capital Trade Point, Futures, Options and Derivative Exchanges as well as other intermediaries and self-regulatory organizations in the securities industry;

r) Call for information or furnish any agency as may be considered necessary by it for the efficient discharge of its functions;

s) Levy fees or other charges on any person for carrying out investment and securities business in Nigeria;

t) Conduct research into all or any aspect of the securities industry;

u) Prevent fraudulent and unfair trade practices in relation to the securities industry;

v) Advise the minister on all matters relating to the securities industry;

w) Disqualify unfit individuals from being employed anywhere in the securities industry;

x) Liaise effectively with the regulators and supervisors of other financial institutions locally and overseas;

y) Perform such other functions and exercise such other powers not inconsistent with this Act as are necessary or expedient for giving full effect to the provisions of this Act.